Many waterfalls and swimming holes along this amazing and shaded trail…read more Love mossy rocks? How about lush ferns? How do you feel about cascading water? Do you enjoy dipping your feet into cold water on a hot summer day? Or how about swimming among giant redwood trees? If any of this sounds appealing you need to visit Sweet Creek Falls. We came in the middle of summer and it was the perfect way to spend an afternoon hiking, meditating, and swimming. There are 11 waterfalls ranging in size and close to 2.5 miles all together of shaded trails to explore, rustic bridges included. This was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Oregon last summer. Know before you go: Parking lots at each trailhead. Super stinky bathroom located only at Homestead Trailhead. Dog friendly. And most importantly FREE! *Don't be surprised to see topless women swimming. We all have breasts and it's a beautiful thing to be free especially in a place like this. If this bothers you just look away. *Don't use Yelp directions as they'll take you to the wrong place. Use Google instead. I've reported this several times but like nearly everything I report Yelp ignores it. And Happy Earth Day! If you haven't discovered what nature can do for your soul I highly recommend getting away from the daily grind, turning your phone off, and just enjoying what places like this can do for you. It's truly magical.

Awesome trail with multiple waterfalls. Trails were nice and clear of debris and branches. A few…read morespots with bigger rocks, roots, and water. Gorgeous scenery! There are so many photo opportunities. Many different bridges along the trail allow you to walk over the water. There is a part of the trail where you have to walk through a small stream. I wasn't wearing the proper gear and didn't want wet shoes and socks, so we headed back at that point and headed towards the upper parking lot. The upper trail still had snow on the ground, and the parking area was pretty soggy. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our time here. We would love to come back again during a drier season. Highly recommend!

This was a terrific surprise to find such a thing just next to a fence…read more A huge stone bowl with a path to the sea the ocean passes in and out. You can see the bottom from the fence. Amazing ...

Great Beach with an amazing Ocean Punchbowl . It's the cutest spot. They even have a café right…read morenext to the Punchbowl. We didn't make it down to walk inside of the punch bowl, but it's definitely on the things to do list. You need to get there early enough for the low tides to be able to walk inside of the punch bowl.

Mary's Peak, highest of the Oregon coastal range, was a terrific day trip for our group, Eugene…read moreBurnbootcamp. Our 10:30 meet was in flux for a few days at the gym. Without confirmation, I proceeded and without incident arrived solo at Conner's Trailhead. At this point, I attempted calling the lead, who started their ascent along the summit trail. Still no contact, which usually indicated that I had not gone far enough. The lure of an artesian spring led to a brief stop and subsequent text- "Hey guys, where are you? Was it a scrub?" The sound of crunching gravel beneath my tires on the shoulder calmed my nerves a bit. That, and the fascination of an artesian well flowing off a mountainside. Two stops before the parking lot above, I encountered a small group of campers. At the Campsite, the chemical toilet was a welcome amenity. I usually find the camp signs to be interesting reading, and probably spotted the dogs on leashes or notification right away. Last stop before the top and still no word. The parking lot above is open with minimal vehicle activity. Trails are well marked and spring abounds. I set off toward the There is a group of 10-12 hikers flopped on their day packs sipping water, nibbling munchies, regarding the city beneath fog. It's also the rooster crew looking for photo ops taking a break. Several call out to me, "Look who it is." I'm splurging now on red and green Holiday Reindeer gummies and taking sips from the Camelbak. Although my trip was much shorter, uncertainty multiplied the effects of altitude. It's good to see these faces becoming more familiar in this outdoor light. I recommend familiarity with the Internet trail maps in preparation for the Mary's Peak trip. I like to have face to face contact and phone checks with others, a pancho, and small flashlight. Water, and something to chew on is a good idea. Check with the park website for rules regarding your pets. Be safe, have fun!

Just went on this hike last weekend with my fiancé and our two eight year old boys, we had a great…read moretime! The views are pretty stunning and the hike was moderate, easy trails to follow, different terrain made it fun, we even saw snow at one edge which the kids got to make snow balls with! Wasn't too busy on a Saturday afternoon either, highly recommend this adventure.!

Gnaw-howdy, folks! Let me tell you about the absolute crown jewel of the entire forest: the Trail…read moreof Ten Waterfalls loop at Silver Falls. I tackled the whole dadgum 7.2-mile circuit on a day so gorgeous the sun felt like a warm rock on a soggy pelt. If you are a connoisseur of fine water engineering like yours truly, this place is pure, unadulterated heaven. Ten waterfalls. Ten! And humans just let all that pristine, rushing current flow freely without a single lodge or dam blocking it! It's wildly irresponsible from a construction standpoint, but sweet mother of willow bark, is it breathtaking. The best part? Trudging underneath those massive basalt cliffs at South Falls and North Falls. Feeling the thunder of the water vibrating right through my webbed feet was a spiritual experience. The mist keeps the ferns lush and the air tasting crisp and clean. Final Verdict: 5 out of 5 peeled willow sticks. If you have webbed feet, boots, or just a deep appreciation for top-notch hydrology, you need to hike this loop immediately. Just try to ignore the urge to build a giant wall across the river. It's hard, but the views are worth it.

If you're gonna do the Trail of 10 Falls (or 8 as it was recently due to northside trail closure),…read moreI recommend a counter-clockwise route starting at South Falls to avoid crowds and work your way up the magnificence scale. Also helps to get there early as you can. Trails were wet from recent showers but well-maintained and not slick. If it's really been raining and the falls are pumping, be prepared for standing water behind a couple of the falls. (Luckily someone had put out small stones to balance on, but from the looks of their wet shoes many people were unlucky in their attempts to cross.) Walking sticks can be helpful in the steeper grades. It now costs $10 to park unless you've got an annual pass

Awesome spot, but you need a good car! Drove a RAV4 to the…read moregate, then walked a short distance. You definitely need a capable car because some uphill parts are rough and slippery (almost lost traction). The hike down is a bit steep and slippery but there are ropes to help. Tip: Bring gloves! After reaching the bottom, just follow the stream to the beautiful waterfall. We had a picnic there and it was so chill. There are no trash cans here,please take your trash with you. I felt like being at a childhood summer camp with the hiking and climbing. The water was too cold to swim this time, but I'll definitely be back during the summer!

Abiqua Falls! I just visited this beautiful 92-foot waterfall sort of in the middle of nowhere in…read moreOregon but located about 50 miles south of Portland. I have a lot to relay about the experience. This review could take the maximum 5000 words, lol, but I'll try my best to keep things as concise as possible... There are many questions about what to expect from Abiqua Falls. Even myself, I had concerns and doubts. But...I survived and it's an easy adventure to a very secluded waterfall. I'll try and answer the following questions... - Can you drive to the trailhead? From my POV, it's a VERY ROUGH ROAD down to the bottom. There's one specific section (and you'll recognize it immediately) where the road is practically cracked in half with divots and potholes. I actually witnessed a Ford Explorer trying to drive over it on the way back up and it was a big struggle for them! They eventually got past it, but I thought they were stuck. You absolutely need a high clearance 4x4 vehicle to make it down to the base to access the trailhead to Abiqua Falls. For me...I have a Suburu and I parked 2 miles away at the Abiqua Falls "Parking Lot" (according to Google) and then walked 2 miles down to the bottom and 2 miles back up. There was no way I was risking a flat tire, especially with not knowing how to change a tire and there barely being cell phone reception in the area. Btw...just to arrive at the Abiqua Falls parking lot, you must first drive 1.5 miles on a dirt road. For me, dirt and gravel roads are like nails on a chalkboard. I cringe driving over them. - Where is the trailhead located? This is a good question because there's no specific sign for Abiqua Falls, but it's easy to discover. Here's how...the road down to the bottom only goes so far. Eventually, you'll confront a white fence where you can leave your car (if you drove). But...there's a clear opening to the forest on the left-hand side of the road as you're going down. People say it's hard to find, but truly...you can't miss it. If you're any sort of outdoors enthusiast, it's simple. The hike is 7/10ths of a mile out and back. That's it! Again...there's barely any hiking involved, especially if you drive down to the base. - What is the ropes section like on the trail? I must be transparent. I read other people's AllTrails and Google reviews, and this can be deceiving. Let me explain... There were many reviews saying how the ropes section is intense and you're practically repelling down the cliff side. WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! It's an easy pathway. The ropes are no big deal. I have a serious fear of heights, and I casually made my down to the creek. Using the ropes was necessary for the most part, but it wasn't scary. It didn't strain my hands. IT IS NOT STRESSFUL! I'd rate the trail as easy - moderate. Do not fear the incline/decline slope. There's nothing of that sort. It is 100% safe to get up and down the trail. Once down at the bottom of the creek, hang on the left hand side. You'll notice the trail continuing around the bend that leads straight to Abiqua Falls. It's easy. I had no problems at any point in time. I've been on much, much rougher trails during my explorations. I visited on a random Thursday morning at the end of August and pretty much had the falls to myself. There were a few people that came along towards the middle of the day. I believe if you're coming to Abiqua Falls, you must bring a bathing suit and towel. I think it's a right of passage. The waterfall is scenic and the setting is charming, but other than admiring the views and maybe having a picnic, you must take the plunge in the pool of water that Abiqua Falls splashes down into. - Was the water cold? Absolutely! Lol, I was dreading the cold water but made the premeditated decision that I was swimming to have a fun memory. It wasn't even hot outside as well, but I forced myself in and I'm glad I just did it. Obviously, your body adjusts to the cold and it's not too extreme. Overall, the ambiance at Abiqua Falls was liberating. The canyon walls sort of engulf you from high above. You're standing at this dramatic waterfall and when the sun reaches above the tree line, you can notice some slight coloring in the waters which can make for a magical moment. In all, maybe you need a few hours to hang out at the falls before returning to the ropes section and heading back up to the trailhead and road. Again, the hike back up to the top is barely strenuous. It's a slight workout. Most folks can handle it. Lastly, if you're someone who left their car all the way at the top of the road (like I did), it is possible that you may get offered a lift from those hikers who took a chance driving their cars down to the base. If so, hop in, lol. It'll save time not having to trek back uphill. In the end, I enjoyed getting to witness Abiqua Falls. The journey to arrive here was not as daunting as I initially anticipated. And again, from my POV, be kind to your car tires. Don't risk the drive.

One of our favorite places to visit. Fantastic views and not far from outside of Corvallis.read more

Great hidden hiking gem of Corvallis. Nice views, dogs allowed on leash, not crowded, and bathrooms…read moreavailable. Limited parking, extra parking located at the trail entrance if the parking lot is full. Trail does have a moderate incline/decline.

Beautiful park. Not crowded and paths are easy to follow. We got off path where it was ok and…read moreenjoyed seeing wildlife.

This is a peaceful place with lots of geese around almost all year…read more There are places you can park and just watch birds and other wildlife, and there are trails. The refuge is accessed via many different roads and parking lots. I recommend checking out their maps online. I really enjoy walking the Rail Trail, which includes a boardwalk through a forest that seasonally floods. Very cool. When I visited here in late October, it was the driest I've ever seen it. I didn't see another person and it was very restorative to just walk in silence and solitude. I am excited to visit the new nature center, their website says it will be open January 2022.

I'll be up front. I love Oregon. I love how beautiful it is here. I love the slower pace of life. I…read morelove the food. I love that people here have manners. Actual manners! Sh*t, I haven't experienced anything like this since living in New England (shoutout to NH, VT, and ME). But I digress. Dealing with folks takes a toll on me so I knew I wanted to grab a couple close friends and find a serene spot in a forest somewhere to recharge my batteries. Oregon delivered as usual. Alsea Falls Recreation Site (AFRS) is a picturesque area located 30 minutes southwest of Corvallis and boasts gorgeous forests of red cedars, maples, and Douglas firs as well as two waterfalls. I thought hiking trails here were pleasant. They offer plenty of shade and aren't very strenuous. Alsea Falls is located rather close to the day use parking lot, but there is a 1.4 mile trail leading to Green Peak Falls if you walk across the wooden bridge. The trail is poorly marked so you may lose it when you end up at McBee Park campground. Stick to the right and you will find two trails. Take the right official trail with the trail post. The left trail is shorter but there are stinging nettles along the way. Green Peak is the larger of the two falls and it is possible to climb to the top via the adjacent trail (right side), but it is steep so be careful. O T H E R I N F O -Day use parking is $3. Fill out an envelope. Drop off the envelope with payment in the receptacle across from the outhouse. Keep the stub in your vehicle. -Amenities within the campground include drinking water and vault toilets. Several campsites can accommodate large RVs or trailers; up to 32 feet long. -Dogs are allowed on a leash so bring the family pup along! -Salmon and steelhead fishing during the winter months. -The park is clean. Keep it that way and pack your trash until you find a rubbish bin. -Pack a camera. Take plenty of photos. Collect memories instead of things.